The Abilene Christian Wildcats and Texas Tech Red Raiders play on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, in a game on the college football Week 1 schedule.
Which team will win the college football Week 1 game?
Check out these college football Week 1 picks and college football Week 1 predictions for the game, which can be seen at 4 p.m. MST on FS1 (stream with FUBO).
Texas Tech is a 42.5-point favorite over Abilene Christian in college football Week 1 odds for the game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
The over/under (point total) for the game is set at 58.5 points.
Watch Texas Tech vs Abilene Christian on FUBO (free trial)
The Arizona Republic: Texas Tech 41, Abilene Christian 10
Jeremy Cluff writes: "The Red Raiders finally get to play some football after an offseason of distractions
and frustration. Bad news for Abilene Christian."
Bookies.com: Bet Texas Tech to cover vs Abilene Christian
Bill Speros writes: "The Brendan Sorsby Saga concluded with Texas Tech’s reputation shattered. That didn’t stop the Red Raiders from being installed as even-money favorites to win the Big 12. Tech isn't a normal -42.5 favorite. This roster is the portal-spending, playoff-caliber version — the talent gap over an FCS Southland team is closer to two divisions than one. Their backups are better than ACU's starters."
Dimers.com: Texas Tech 50, Abilene Christian 7
It writes: "After extensive simulations, our model gives Abilene Christian a win probability of 0%, while Texas Tech has a win probability of 100%."
ESPN: Texas Tech has a 99% chance to defeat Abilene Christian on Saturday
The site gives the Wildcats a 1% shot at winning the college football Week 1 game.
Sports Betting Dime: Texas Tech 31.6, Abilene Christian 18.7
The site's formula predicts that the Red Raiders will beat the Wildcats in the Week 1 college football game.
Picks and Parlays: Texas Tech 51, Abilene Christian 6
David Anicetti writes: "Abilene Christian moved the football in its opener, but two turnovers helped turn a winnable game into a loss. Texas Tech's defense repeatedly created those mistakes last season, forcing multiple takeaways in 10 games. Texas Tech also has the rushing depth to control this matchup without putting too much pressure on Hammond in his first start of the season. Dickey and Williams will create early scoring opportunities, while the Red Raiders' defense keeps Abilene Christian from matching that pace."
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Texas Tech vs Abilene Christian picks, predictions, odds for Week 1
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